Career Center

Summary

Syracuse VAMC is recruiting for one Outpatient Staff Pharmacist. The Outpatient Staff Pharmacists process - fill and check Outpatient medication orders - monitor patient drug therapies - and provide drug information. Outpatient Staff Pharmacists supervise and direct support personnel. These activities and services include the provision of pharmaceutical care to include the cost effective use of pharmaceuticals - disease states and drug preparations for all patients seen.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: Graduate of an accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree
• Licensure: Full - current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State - Territory - Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia
• The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full - current - and unrestricted licensure
• A pharmacist who has - or has ever had - an license(s)revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - section B - paragraph 16
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations:GS-12 Experience
• In addition to the GS-11 requirements - must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• -1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR -Completion of an ACPE accredited Pharm D program
• Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge - skills and abilities: Knowledge of professional pharmacy practice
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to both patients and health care staff
• Knowledge of laws - regulations - and accreditation standards related to the distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and pharmacy security
• Skill in monitoring and assessing the outcome of drug therapies - including physical assessment and interpretation of laboratory and other diagnostic parameters
• Preferred Experience: Outpatient experience References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G15
• For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12
• Physical Requirements: The work involves prolonged periods of standing with some walking of generally short distances
• There may be occasional lifting of weights up to 30 lbs
• There may be mental fatigue due to repetitive screening and interpretation of medication orders
• Light carrying (under 15 lbs.) - Reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - both hands required
• walking (up to 4 hrs.) - standing (up to 4 hrs.) -both legs required - both eyes required - ability to distinguish basic colors
• ability to distinguish shades of colors - hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• Major Duties: Prepares and dispenses medication orders per physician request according to established policies - procedures and protocols
• Interprets medication orders (verbal & written) and transcribes to computerized patient medication prescription labels/profiles accurately
• Maintains accurate - complete patient medication profiles
• Compounds and accurately dispenses pharmaceuticals - including controlled substances and chemotherapy products
• Maintain records as required by law
• Has the ultimate responsibility in facilitating the delivery of the correct drug in the correct dosage to the correct patient
• Assess and optimize pharmacotherapy for Veteran patients of the Syracuse VA Medical Center
• Each pharmacists assigned to a specific tour will complete the orders for that tour
• Evaluate drug therapy regimens for contraindications - drug-drug interactions - drug-food interactions - allergies - and appropriateness of drug and dose within the context of the individual patient's medical conditions
• Adjust therapeutic regimen as indicated following through on problems and paying attention to detail
• Complete medication reconciliation for discharge planning along with the completion of physicians' discharge medication orders - the dispensing of appropriate medications in a timely manner - and the counseling of patients who are being discharged from this facility - concerning the proper use of their medications
• This counseling will include administration - food-drug/drug-drug interactions - proper storage of drugs - as well as the procedure to follow in cases of a missed dose
• Additionally - to support basic Inpatient Pharmacy section activities such as warfarin monitoring - pharmacokinetic dosing - medical team rounding - and being a member of the Discharge Pharmacy Team
• Provide drug dosing recommendations as outlined in the pharmaceutical care plan model
• Reviews control substance orders for appropriateness based on indication - previous usage history - and compliance
• Recommends changes as appropriate
• Is able to multi-process i.e
• able to continue to process orders - & answer questions from technical staff &/or patients (via phone or in person)
• Reads - extracts - and interprets information in the patient medical record accurately
• Detects and reports suspected adverse drug reactions accurately and in a timely manner
• Contributes to the quality and effective operation of the department
• Supervises and directs pharmacy support personnel in the absence of a supervisor
• Verifies the daily activities of pharmacy technicians
• Works independently with minimal supervision
• Organizes and prioritizes work assignments
• Ensures pharmacy services are provided in a timely manner
• Answers the telephone - identifying self and department
• Direct calls to appropriate personnel
• Keeps pharmacy areas and equipment clean - neat - and well organized
• Maintains competence required for current position
• Maintains current pharmacist licensure
• Attends pharmacy staff meetings when possible
• If not in attendance - reads the staff meeting minutes
• Attends orientation - education and training programs
• Reviews literature and other materials pertinent to the practice of pharmacy
• Utilizes available educational resources/ opportunities and strives to continually expand therapeutic knowledge base
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 0800-1600 - every other week 1130-2000 - Occasional weekends - and subject to change based off department needs
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:21L10A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized